Method of and apparatus for manipulating articles, such as talking machine or phonograph records



y 25, 1936- H. HOLLERITH, JR 2,041,713

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING ARTICLES,

I SUCH AS TALKING MACHINE 0R PHONOGRAPH RECORDS Filed May 23, 1929 9 Sheets-Sheet l A; ATTORNEY H. HOLLERITH. JR 2,041,713

9 Sheets-She9t 2 May 26,- 1936.

Filed May 23, 1929 4 Mil Wm wve/vroR A T R EY y 1936- H. HOLLERITH. JR- 2,041,713

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING ARTICLES, SUCH AS TALKING MACHINE OR PHONOGRAPH RECORDS Filed May 23, 1929 9 sheets-sheet s -INVENTOR BY- wi 2). M

A ATTORNEY May 26, 1936.

2,041,713 ATUS FOR MANIPULATING ARTICLES,

9 Sheets-Sheet 4 H. HOLLERITH, JR METHOD OF AND APPAR SUCH AS TALKING MACHINE 0R PHONOGRAPH RECORDS Filed May 23, 1929 INVENTOR I BY am 4. ATTORNEY May 26, 1936- r H. HOLLERITH. JR 2,041,713

' METHOD OF AND APPARATUS-FOR MANIPULA'TING ARTICLES,

SUCH AS TALKING MACHINE OR PHONOGRAPH RECORDS Filed May 23, 1929 9 Sheets-Sheet '5 37 INVENTOR 1;. ATTORNEY y 1936- H. HOLLERITH, JR 2,041,713

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING ARTICLES, SUCH AS TALKING MACHINE OR PHONOGRAPH RECORDS Filed May 23, 1929 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN VEN TOR BY 5pm A44 ATTORNEY May 26, 1936. H. HOLLERITH. JR 2,041,713

'. METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING ARTICLES,

SUCH AS TALKING MACHINE OR PHONOGRAPH RECORDS Filed May 25, 1929' 9 sheets-Sheet '7 um H! i 74 7 81 710/ 75 I Z4, ATTORNEY May 26, 1936.-

H. HOLLERITH, JR 2,041,713 METHOD -OF AND APPARATUS FOR'MANIPULATING ARTICLES, A

sUcH AS TALKING'MACHINE 0R PHONOGRAPH RECORDS Filed May 23, 1929 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 IN VEN TOR. MMM

A; ATTORNEY.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING ARTICLES, SUCH AS TALKING MACHINE OR PHONOGRAPH RECORDS Filed May 23, 1929 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 May'26, 1936. H. HOLLERITHq JR 2,041,713

I INVENTOR. AW WJL,

ZM' A TTORN E Y.

Patented May: 26, 1936 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANIF- ULATING ARTICLES, SUCH AS TALKING MACHINE R PHONOGRAPH RECORDS Herman Hollerith, Jn, Riverton, N. 3., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Radio Corporation of America, New York Delaware N. Y., a corporation of Application May 23, 1929, Serial No. 365,253

18 Claims. (Cl. 274-10).

My invention relates to a method of and apparatus for manipulating talking machine or phono graphrecords, such as centrally perforated disk records of a type well known to the art; my inb vention also embraces the manipulation of disks.

other than talking machine or phonograph records, said last named disks being utilizable for any desired purpose, control or otherwise.

In accordance with my invention, records, as m aforesaid, are transported along a path and thereafter each record, while horizontally disposed, is moved transversely of said path and into a position for coaction with a sound reproducing instrumentality, such as the needle or stylus of a 15 sound box, pick-up device, or equivalent, said records being transported along said path from a stack of records contacting and supported one with and by another, from a record supporting structure, or otherwise as may be suitable or dew sirable.

It is characteristic of my invention that 2. record, as aforesaid, while horizontally disposed on a turntable, is elevated into coasting relation with a sound reproducing instrumentality, the latter thereupon being-moved in one direction laterally of said record and into coacting relation with its spiral sound reproducing groove to efiect the reproduction of sound, after which said instrumentality is moved in a direction substantially 0 the reverse of said one direction, a given point on said instrumentality, during movement of the latter in both of.said directions, traversing substantially only a horizontal plane.

It is further characteristic of my invention, in 35 the organization last described, that records, as

aforesaid, are transported in succession into the path of said turntable along a path leading from a supporting structure on which said records are disposed in superposed or side-by-side relation. 40 It is also characteristic of my invention, in the organization described above, that records are discharged from said turntable in succession preferably under the influence of energy derived from the rotary motion of said records as imposed by 45 said turntable.

My invention resides in the method, apparatus,

system, arrangement and features of construction of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

50 For an understanding of my method and for an illustration of some of the forms my apparatus or system may take, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of talking 55 machine or phonograph mechanismor apparatus as constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional View, partly in plan, taken on, the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and looking 5 in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the bottom' of a supporting plate'or member and the mechanism associated therewith.

Figs. 5 and 6 ,are perspective views of automatic control mechanism.

Fig. 7, in part, is a vertical sectional view of part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of the turntable supporting and control mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a plan view, partly broken away, of the. bottom of a record-receiving receptacle.

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of the receptacle illustrated in Fig. 9. 0 Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of the record-receiving receptacle and the record-translatingmember associated therewith. v

Fig. 12 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a record-removing and transporting member.

Fig. 12a is a bottom plan view of a part of the tone arm, or equivalent.

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view,.partly in elevation, of another form of turntable supporting and control mechanism.

Fig. 14 is a plan view of a part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 13. v

Fig. 15 is a. vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the line l5l5 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a vertical sectional view, partly, in elevation, taken on the line Iii-l6 of Fig. 14.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, there is illustrated a casing or housing comprising, in the example shown, front and rear walls I, I and side walls 4 2, 2, all of said walls being vertically disposed on a suitable base, not shown. Extending horizontally within the aforesaid casing is a shelf or ledge 3'forming a support for a record magazine? in which, as illustrated in Fig. 11', is supported a group or stack of talking machine or phonograph disk records R. The shelf 3 also supports a movable or pivoted record-translating member T and a. swinging or oscillatable tone arm A. Disposed adjacent the tone arm A is a turntable B disposed in a horizontal plane and to which individual records R are transported and from which they are individually discharged, as-hereinafter fully described, into acompartment or receptacle 0, Fig. 2, the bottom of which is defined by a sloping wall 4 extending transversely of the aforesaid casing. I

Extending longitudinally of and within the aforesaid casing is a drive shaft 5 receiving power from any suitable source which, in the example illustrated, is an electric motor 6, Fig. 8. Keyed to the shaft 5 is a gear 1 meshing with and driving a gear 8, Fig. 3, freely rotatable on a shaft 9.

Shaft 9 is journaled in a plate or member Ill, Fig. 3, extending transversely of the aforesaid casing and secured, in the example shown, to projections II, extending from the front and rear casing walls I, I, by screws l2, or the like, Fig. 3.

' Referring to Fig.5, a clutch wheel or spider I3 is secured by a hub 43a. to the aforesaid gear 8 and, therefore, rotates with the latter. Coacting with the clutch spider I3 is a clutch cresent l4 pivoted to a disk I6 and having a tooth Ma. The tooth l4a. of clutch crescent I4 is suitably biased toward the clutch spider l3 as, for example, by a helical spring l5 connected to said clutch crescent l4 and to the disk I6, Figs. 2 and 5. The disk I6 is fixed or keyed to the shaft 9 and, therefore, when the tooth I40. moves into the space between adjacent teeth of the clutch spider I3, said disk l8 and its thereto-connected shaft 9 are caused to rotate under the infiuence of the drive shaft 5 and the'meshed gears 1 and 8.

Secured to the shaft 9 and rotatable therewith is a gear l1, Fig. 3, meshing with and driving a gear l8 rotatable on a shaft l9 upstanding from the plate I9. The gear I8 comprises a hub portion I80. receiving a cam 20 for rotation therewith, Figs. 6 and 7. Referring to Figs. 2, 3 and '1, the aforesaid hub portion 18a. is shown as having a crank arm 2i secured thereto for movement therewith.

Referring to Fig. 4, the plate in is shown as having a bracket 22 secured thereto by screws 23, or the like. Pivoted to the bracket 22 is a lever 24- biased in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 4, by a. helical spring 25, or the like. Lever 24 comprises a shoulder 24a. adapted to be engaged periodically by 9. lug or member 26 projecting fromthe disk [5.

Referring to'Fig. 1, the tone arm A is shown as comprising the usual conduits 21 and 28 to be traversed by sound waves, a connection 29 affording oscillatory movement of the conduit 28 with'respect to the conduit 21. As illustrated in Fig. 1211., the conduit 21 carries a bracket 39 having adjustably mounted thereon a stop .member 30a which coacts with a stop member 30b projecting from the c0nduit'28. The conduit 28, at its free end, carries a sound reproducing instrumentality, as a sound box S of any desired construction which comprises a diaphragm connected to a stylus bar, the latter terminating in the usual needle or stylus for coaction with one of the records R.

In accordance with my invention, the end of the conduit 21, adjacent the connection .28, is restrained for oscillatory motion only in .a horizontal plane and, to this end, any desirable type of construction may be utilized. As illustrated, the shelf 3 carries a. mounting plate 3!, in turn,

supporting a second plate ormember 32, said which said conduit 21 is placed in communication with a sound amplifying horn, not shown. The member 32 comprises an upstanding part or section 32a, Figs. 1 and 2, partly surrounding the vertical portion of the tone arm section or conduit 21 and having at its end a vertically extending pin 33 received in a bearing, not shown, on the tone arm section 21. By virtue of this arrangement, the end of the conduit 21, adjacent the connection 29', may move only in a substantially horizontal plane, that is, in a direction substantiallly parallel with respect to, the turntable B.

Carried by and movable with the conduit 21 of tone arm A is an arm or member 34, Figs. 2 and 5, which, in theexample shown, comprises a substantiallly vertically extending member 34a, and a substantially horizontal section 34b terminating in asubstantially horizontal finger 34c and a substantially vertical finger 34d. Pivoted to the arm 34, preferably on its finger 34d, is a pawl 35, one end of which is suitably biased toward the finger 34c and the other end of which comprises an edged surface 350..

Extending through the plate I0 is a member or shaft 38, Figs. 2 and 5, to which, below the plate in, a clutch-actuating lever'31 is secured and which is spaced from the plate 19 by a washer 38. Above the plate Ill, the lever 31 has a. pawl-actuated lever 39 secured thereto, the

- latter being spaced from said plate In by a ingly, on each side of the plate Ill, said levers 31 and 39 maybe so secured -to the respective ends of a sleeve 4|, Figs. 5 and 6, that the sleeve 4| and levers 31 and 39 move together as a. unit. a

The member or shaft 36 passes within the sleeve 4|, the headthereof engaging the lever 31 and its other end being suitably secured, as by peening, to the lever 39. The aforesaid lever system is suitably biased in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 3, for example, by a helical spring 42 secured at one end to the plate In and at its other end to a lug 39a extending from the pawl-actuated lever 39.

Suitably secured to the pawl-actuated lever 39 for coaction with the pawl 35, is a rack member 43 having at one end thereof an inclined upper edge 43a, Fig. 5. Carried by the lever 39 or rack 43, preferably the latter, is a member 44 preferably 'of stiff resilient material and having a hookshaped end adapted to engage the member 34a of arm 34, as hereinafter more fully described. The end of lever 39 removed from the rack 43 has a roller or extension 45 projecting laterally therefrom for coaction with the cam 20, Figs. 3 and 6.

The clutch-actuated lever 31 comprises a hookshaped end 31a, Fig. 5, adapted to periodically permit the clutch crescent M to bring its tooth 54a into meshing relation with the clutch spider Loosely mounted on the sleeve 4|, preferably above the plate I, is a lever 46, Figs. 3, 5 and 6, which, at its end, periodically engages the finger 34d of arm 34. Lever 46 is suitably biased toward a pin or member 41 upstanding from the plate 19, as by a helical spring 48 connected to said pin and to a lug 45a. projecting from said lever 86,

Fig. 5.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 8, the drive shaft 5 is shown as extending through an opening in the plate and having a longitudinally extending channel 501. for the reception of a key comprised is disposed for free rotatable movement.

in the stem of the turntable B, as hereinafter more fully described. Encircling the shaft and non-rotatably secured to the plate It is a bushing or sleeve 50, Fig. 8, on which a barrel cam 5| The cam 5!, on opposite sides thereof, comprises similar cam surfaces 56a of which one is clearly illustrated in Fig; 2. A gear 52, preferablyformed integrally with cam 5|, meshes with and is periodically driven by the gear i8, Fig. 3.

Coacting, respectively, with the'cam surfaces Eta are cam followers or rollers 53, each carried by an arm 54, in turn carried by a sleeve 55 slidable within the aforesaid bushing 50. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the arms 54 and another arm 56, preferably, are formed integrally with each other, said arm 56 terminating in a fork shaped end or clevis embracing and being slidable along a standard, rod or member Elupstanding from the memher 56, whereby the cam followers 53 are restrained from rotative movement. The structure comprising the arms 54, lit and 56 may be secured in any suitable manner to the sleeve 55 for movement therewith longitudinally of the shaft 6. In the example shown, thevarious arms aforesaid terminate in a section 58, Fig. 8, having a perforation in which is received a shouldered mrtlon of the sleeve 55, a washer 59 being peened to one end of the sleeve 55 and to the section 58, said washer b9 uniting the sleeve 55 and arms 56, b t and 56 so that they may move axially of the shaft 5, rotative movement thereof with respect to said shaft 5 being prevented by the control exercised by the member bl upon the arm 58.

The washer be constitutes a shoulder or bearing surface for the turntable B, which, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 8, comprises an outer layer or member as of felt or the like earned by a circular member ti preferably of metallic sheet material, the latter being riveted or otherwise suitably secured to a turntable stem 82 from which a record-receiving pin t3 .extends centrally through the members ti and BB and beyond the latter. The stem 62 comprises a flanged section or shoulder til and a. sleeve-like extension 65 havinga passage extending axially thereof and oi. a diameter somewhat greater than the diameter of the shaft ii, a pin 63 extending transversely of said passage for reception in the channelba of shaft 5, whereby rotatable movement is imparted to the turntable B even though it is movable vertically.

Ordinarily, a washer bl engages the shoulder til while a similar washer $8, Fig. 8, engages the washer 59, a washer be being interposed between the washers 6'3 and 5b comprising anti-friction members ill.

when the members illustrated in Fig. 8 are disposed in assembled relation, sleeve 55 slidably fits within the bushing 5b, the position of said 3 sleeve 55 axially of the shaft 5 depending upon the regions wherein the cam followers 53 engage the respective cam surfaces 5m. When thus assembled, the shoulder $6 of stem 62 is spaced from the washer 5b only by the washers 68, b9 and it, the sleeve-like extension 65 being disposed within the sleeve 55 and being freehr slidable along the shaft 65, pin db falling within the channel 5a Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 9 and 10, the record magazine P is illustrated as comprising a receptacle or well it circular in configuration and disposed in an opening of corresponding in the shelf b, a flmed portion Ila of re Fig. 11. arrangement such as illustrated in Fig. 1, whereably provided with a felt surface It for engagea meat with the lowermost record of the stack of records. By preference, the member 73 is formed of sheet-like metallic material and, to decrease the weight thereof, it is desirable that a number of perforations 15 be formed therein. The mem- 10 ber 73 and the thereon-supported stack of records should be biased from the bottom wall of the receptacle H by a force exceeding the combined weight of the member 13 and the greatest number of records that will be stacked thereon at 15 any one time. As one example of such a biasing construction, said bottom wall'has a plurality of leaf spring 16 secured thereto by bolts 11, or equivalent. The springs 18 should be symmetrically. arranged on said bottom wall from 20 which they project into contact with that surface of the member 13 opposite the felt surface it; For restraining or limiting movement of the member l8 from the bottom wall of receptacle ii, there may be utilized a plurality of rods or 35 members 18, each having one end fixed to the member l3 and freely passing through an opening in the bottom wall of receptacle ll exteriorly of which each of said members i8 is provided with a stop member 19, whereby said member 13 is prevented from moving an excessive distance or from being disengaged from the bottom wall of the receptacle 1!.

For all stack heights, the topmost record R of the stack of records should be disposed entirely above the upper surface of the flange lla, To this end, there may beutilized an in a bracket 80 is .shown as suitably secured to the flange Ha or shelf 3 and having a projection bile extending above the stack of records. Cooperating with the bracket 80 to properly position the topmost record it is a member bl pivoted at $2 on a member extending through the flange Ho and into the shelf 3. Member 85 comprises a plurality of projections Ma also extending above the topmost record R and, if desired, said member bi may also comprise an actuating member bib.

To the end that the member 38 may be maintained in record-restraining position, there is provided a latching device which comprises a plurality of members 83 and 86, each secured to the flange lie of receptacle ii. In the example shown, member 85 is an abutment rising above the upper surface of flange Ha a distance substantially the same as the thickness of a record R while the member 83 comprises a resilient portion eta spaced from the flange lid. When the member 8! is moved to record-restraining position, as illustrated by the full lines in Fig. l, the end thereof is passed beneath the resilient por- 'tion 83a of member 83, the-resilient portion 83a holding the end of member 8! in engagement with member 86 and maintaining said member bl in the desired position. It shall be under-- stood that the projections tfia, tie and tile are spaced above the flange its a distance corresponding substantially with thethickness of the record R. whereby the topmost record R of the member or arm T secured thereto for movement therewith.

The free end of arm T has a member 99 projecting therefrom and preferably so secured thereto that it may be adjusted longitudinally thereof. Rising from each side of the member 99 at one end thereof are ears 9| through which extends a pin 92 onwhich a record-engaging member 99 is pivoted. The member 99 comprises a curved end portion 99a, between which and a .toe portion 94, the edge of a record is received,

said toe portion comprising a threaded stem 94a. passing through the member 93 and coacting with a nut 95 to maintain said toe portion 94 in the position illustrated by the full lines in Fig. 12, a washer 96 spacing the toe portion 94 the proper distance from the curved portion 99a and also forming a shoulder to be engaged by the edge ofa record.

Referring to Fig. 1, a record R under control of the member T is moved from right to left along a path defined by members or strips 91 secured in fixed position in anydeslred manner as, for

example, by screws 98 passing through portions of said membersand threaded into the shelf 9 and cabinet wall I.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the sloping wall 4 merges into a horizontal wall 4a in the region of the cabinet below the turntable B, said wall 4a comprising an opening through which the member 58 and its arms 54, 54 and 5B are freely movable. Carried by and fixed to the wall 411. at one side of the turntable B is a member 99. havin spaced ears in which is revolubly mounted a discoldal or spherical member I99 having an outer layer I9I of felt or rubber. At the other side of the turntable B, the wall 4a has secured thereto an upstanding member I92 terminating, preferably, in a tip I93 of hard rubber, or the like. Located substantially in the path taken by the center line of a record R as it moves from right to left, Figs. 1 and 2, and in a region occupied by its advanced edge when movement thereof under the control of the arm T ceases is a bracket I 94 having a sloping face I95 preferably felt-covered.

Under some circumstances, for example, when the motor 6 is electrically operated, the wall u:

may have mounted thereon a switch I99 and aspeed control device I91, the latter usually comprising a threaded member controlling a friction device associated with the motor governor.

The roller I99, tip I99 and the horizontal surface of bracket I94 are all positioned substantially the same distances above the wall 40 and without the periphery of the turntable B.

Upon completion of a period of sound reproduction, the record is discharged from the tumtable B, as hereinafter described, and passes above the walls 441 and 4 and below the shelf 9 into the compartment 0, Fig. 2. To facilitate passage of the record in this manner, it is desirable that anti-friction mechanism be disposed in its path such, for example, as the roller I99 supported by the bracket I99 carried by the wall 4.

Theoperation is as follows:

gaged with spider l9.

In general, any suitable number of records R. may readily be placed in the magazine P after the member 9| has been moved from the position illustrated by the full lines of Fig. 1. The diameter of the receptacle H is slightly greater than 5 the diameters of individual records, which, and their supporting plate 19, are biased upwardly by the springs 19, the topmost record contacting with the projections 99a, 9Ia. and Ila of the respective record-positioning members 99 and 9|. 10

Thereupon, the topmost record R. of the stack of records is moved from right to left, Fig. 1, and comes upon the turntable B where it remains in horizontal position, after which the needle of the sound box 8 is brought into engagement with the outermost portion of the record spiral sound reproducing groove and. during a period of sound reproduction, advances toward the center of the. record. Finally, upon completion of a period of sound reproduction. by a suitablyexercised control,'the turntable B is lowered and. as a result, the record is moved from left to right, Fig. 2, I below the shelf 9 and above the walls 441. 4 into the compartment 0. As the turntable B is lowered, the tone arm A is swung from left to right, Fig. 1';' meanwhile another record R. is advanced from right to left, Fig. l, and deposited upon the turntable B whereupon the above described operation is repeated.

More specifically, the operation is as follows:

With a record It on the turntable B, sound box S, under the control of the spiralsound reproducing groove on the record, moves from right to left. Fig. l, and, upon completion of the period of sound reproduction, engages a groove e on the upper surface of the record R. which is eccentrically disposed with respect to the record center and which communicates .with the aforesaid spiral sound reproducing groove.

While the sound box 8 is moving from right to left as described immediately above, the tone arm A and its arm 94 partake of similar movement, the

edged surface 950 of pawl 99 moving from right to left, Fig. 5, over the teeth of rack 49 with which said edged surface 99a freely slidabiy engages while the pawl 99 is moving in the direction last described. While thus moving. clutch-actuating lever 91 is holding the clutch crescent I4 in the position shown in Fig. 5 and, as a result, there is no movement of the disk I9.

When the needle associated with the sound box 8 passes into the record eccentric groove e, the sound box 8. tone arm A and its arm 94' are almost immediately given slight reverse movement from left to right, Figs. 1 and 5. the pawl 99 moving therewith. Due to the fact that the teeth of rack 49 exercise a clutching effect on pawl 99 when the latter moves as last described. the aforesaid reverse movement of the tone arm A and its arm 94 causes slight oscillation of the levers 99 and 91 in a clockwise direction, Fig. 5,- the lever 91 at its end 9141 disenga ing from the clutchcrescent 'I4 and allowing the latter, under the influence of the spring II. to engage the clutch spider I9 with its tooth I40. As hereinbefore stated, the clutch spider I9 rotates with the constantly rotating gear 9 and, therefore, so long as the clutch crescent I4 remains free from the lever 91. rotation is effected of the shaft 9,

gear l1, its meshing gear I9, and shaft I9. Gear 70 I9 and shaft I9 control the various automatic functions of the herein described mechanism while the mechanism is in'cycle" which covers that period while the clutch crescent I4 is enof gear 52 and cam SI is initiated, the almost vertical portions of the cam surfaces 5Ia being brought into coacting relation with the cam followers 53. As a result, the turntable B abruptly descends, its stem 65 moving within the sleeve 55 as the latter moves downwardly, Fig. 8, and also moving exteriorly of the end of shaft 5.

As the turntable B moves downwardly, rotation thereof and the record thereon continues, the latter passing from the needle of sound box S due to the action of members 30a and 30b on the latter. record engages the tip E03 of post I02 and a substantially opposite edge thereof almost simultaneously engages the roller I06. As a result, the record pivots around the post I02 and, since it is rotating in a clockwise direction, Fig. 1, a motion of translation is imparted thereto from left to right, Figs. 1 and 2, and, as stated above it is passed, partly under the influence of gravity, into the compartment C over the roller I08.

Almost immediately after the turntable B has reached the limit of its downward movement, it starts to ascend under the influence of the gradually sloping parts of the cam surfaces EIa, one

of which is shown in Fig. 2 at the left of cam 5|. Thevratio between-the gears I8 and 52 is such that, upon completion of the cycle, cam 5| has completed one revolution only, its cam surfaces 56a having returned the sleeve 55 to the position illustrated, in Fig. 2 and raised the constantly rotating turntable B to its maximum height where it stays until the trip mechanism is again actuated to cause the automatic mechanism to 'execute another cycle of operation.

As hereinbefore stated, the beginning of the cycle of the automatic mechanism initiates movement of shaft I9 to which the crank arm 2| is secured for movement therewith. As crank arm 2i rotates with respect to the axis of shaft I9, the record-translating member T moves clockwise from the position illustrated by the full lines in Fig. 1,.initially, the edge of the topmost record R of the stack of records being received between the curved portion 93a of member 03 and the toe portion 94 carried thereby. During movement of member '1, as aforesaid, said record R is moved from right to left, Fig. 1, until substantially in coincidence with the turntable B which at this time is moving upwardly therebeneath. As the record R comes above the area defined by the turntable B,.opposite sides thereof engage and are supported by roller I00 and post I02, movement of said record R under the influence of member T continuing until its rear edge is barely supported by the curved extremity III, Fig.1, of shelf 3. After the record R has been passed to this position, the record-translating member T recedes and, upon completion of the cycle, again occupies the position illustrated by the full lines in Fig. l.

The record R. remains in the position last described for a fraction of a second, or more, whereupon the record-receiving pin63 of turntable B enters the opening provided therefor in the Almost immediately, one edge of the record and gives said record slight renewed movement from left to right, Fig. 1, to center the same on the turntable B and to remove its rear edge from the shelf 3. Continued upward movement of the turntable B carries the record R above '5 the roller I00 and past M2, the turntable B finally reaching its uppermost position, as hereinbefore described. Just before this position is reached, the stylus of the soundbox S is engaged by the record and the latter is slightly elevated, the stop 10 member 30b moving from the stop member 30a.

As the cycle of the mechanism was initiated, the cam 20 started moving in a clockwise direction from the position thereof illustrated in Figs.

3 and 6. During initial movement of cam 20, its cam surface coacts with cam follower 45 merely to retain levers 3'? and 39 substantially in the position to which moved under the influence oi. pawl 35. Thereafter, the surface of cam moves cam follower 85 to impart substantially clockwise 20 movement to levers 37 and 39, Figs. 5 and 6-.

As one result of the movement of levers 31 and 39 as last described, the hook-shaped end of member 64, which is carried by lever 39, engages the member 3% of arm 35 thereby swinging the. tone arm A in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 1, to the position illustrated in Fig. 1 wherein the needle of. the sound box S is so placed that it will occupy a position above a record R but slightly without the area defined by the sound reproducing'spiral groove of said record when the latter arrives above the turntable lB. Ordinarily, the

aforesaid swinging movement of tone arm A occurs soon after descending movement of the turntable 13 is initiated or at any time after the record R has moved downwardly from the stylus of the sound box S.

As another result of the movement of levers 31 and 39 as last described,.the end of ratchet- 33 engages an angular extension of the lever 40 86 to swing said lever 86 in a clockwise direction, Fig. 5, thereby tensioning spring 48. Such swinging movement of lever 46 continues until roller 55 engages that portion of the cam 20 which is disposed concentrically with respect to hub IBa, whereupon lever 46 remains in the position to which swung until late in the cycle when cam follower 65 leaves the concentric position of cam 20 and nears the position illustrated in Fig. 6. At this time, the turntable B and a record R have 50 been moved to fully elevated position. Lever 46, then, in swinging in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 5, under the influence of spring 48 engages, at its end, with the finger 34d of arm 34 to thereby swing the tone arm A in a clockwise direction, Fig; 1, and to gently move the needle of the solmd box S into engagement with the outer end of the spiral sound reproducing groove on the record R. Such counter-clockwise movement of lever It continues until it engages the pin M, Fig. 5.

As stated above, 'the tone arm A is positively actuated, first in a clockwise direction, Fig.1, and then in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 1, and g a given point thereon adjacent the connection 20 moves only in substantiallya horizontal plane.

As cam 20 nears the position illustrated in Fig.

6, the levers 31 and 39 are swinging in a counterclockwise direction, Figs. 5 and 6, and, as cam' follower d5 reaches the deepest part of the groove of cam 20, the hook-shaped extension 31a of lever 01 moves into the path of the end of clutch crescent it which swings in a clockwise direction, Fig. 5, tensioning the spring I5 and withdrawing the tooth Mo from clutch spider I t. In this .7

- manner, the cycle of the automatic mechanism is concluded.

As the cycle of operation ceases, the pin 26 comes within the recess defined by the shoulder 24a of lever 24 whereby the various parts are releasably-locked in position during the period that ensues while the machine is out of cycle.

Upon completion of the cycle of operation, movement of gear I8 and shaft I9 ceases and, during a period of sound reproduction, the record-translating arm T occupies a position illustrated by the full lines in Fig. 1, while the turntable B with a record R thereon rotates in the position illustrated in Fig. 2. Meanwhile, the tone arm A, its arm 34, and sound box S are moving in a clockwise direction, Fig. 1, under the driving influence of the record spiral sound reproducing groove and the pawl is moving from right to left, Fig. 5. Eventually, reverse movement is imparted to said tone arm A, its arm 34 and pawl 35 whereupon another cycle of operation is initiated during which the various parts function as hereinbefore described.

After a number of automatic operations, as aforesaid, the compartment 0 contains a plurality of records disposed in stacked relation. The compartment C is bounded by the wall 4, shelf 3, a casing side wall 2, and the front and rear casing walls I, I. The records may be removed from said compartment C in any suitable manner preferably, however, through an opening provided in the front wall of the casing. Referring to Figs. 13, 14, 15 and 16, there is illustrated another form of mechanism having the general function of lowering and elevating. the. record turntable, and controlling the cycle of the machine. Such mechanism may advantageously be associated with a cabinet, record-supply receptacle, record-translating member and tone arm structure of the character hereinbefore described and is illustrated and described in that relation. As shown, there is utilized a supporting plate or member II5, corresponding generally with the hereinbefore described plate I0 which extends transversely of the casing and is suitably supported by its front and rear walls. A drive shaft I I6, Fig. 16, connected to any suitable motive device extends through an opening in the plate H5 and comprises an axial channel H60. and a worm I I6b. Although shown in dis-assembled relation in Fig. 16, it shall be understood that the shaft H6 is so mounted .in bearings, not shown, that its upper end terminates some distance above the plate II5.

Extending through'the opening formed in the plate 5 for shaft H6 is a hollow cylindrical member I I1 having a skirt portion extending well below the plate II5 to which said member I" is non-rotatably secured. As illustrated, the aforesaid skirt portion of member II'I comprises diametrically alined slots IIIa utilizable as hereinafter described. Slidable within the member I" is a second hollow cylindrical member H0 comprising, at its upper end, a flanged portion IIOaserving to limit downward movement of said member IIB. Extending laterally from diametrical opposite sides of the member II8 are pins or projections I I8b each freely slidable with.- in a slot II'Ia. Slidable within the member H8 is the sleeve-like extension 65 of.the turntable stem 62, the pin 66 carried by said extension 65-coacting with one of the walls of channel 6a., of'

shaft 6 to impart rotatable movement to the turntable B independently of theiposition of the latter. it is desirable that there be interpos d between the flanged shoulder of the stem 62 and the flanged extremity II8a of member II8 the washers 61, 60 and 69, the latter preferably embodying anti-friction members as shown in shaft I20 and to one end of this sleeve is secured the aforesaid worm wheel II9 while to the other end of said sleeve a clutch wheel or spider I22 is secured. Accordingly, worm wheel H9, sleeve I2I and clutch spider I22 move together as a unit.

Beyond the clutch wheel I22, shaft I20 carries a second sleeve I23 to which a cam I24 is secured. At its end, removed from the cam I24, shaft I20 carries a third sleeve or collar I25 to which a cam I26 is secured. I

The sleeves I23 and I25 are keyed or otherwise suitably locked to the shaft I20 so as to rotate therewith. Accordingly, shaft I20, sleeve I23, cam I24, sleeve I25 and cam I26 move together as a unit.

Plvoted at I21 to a member I28 depending from portion I29a from which the spaced arms I291:

extend, the latter being disposed beneath the pins II8b, Figs. 13 and 16. A pin I30, Figs. 13 and 14, coacts with the cam I26.

The face of the cam I24 nearest the clutch wheel I22 comprises a section of plane sheet material to which at I3l is pivoted a clutch crescent I32 having a tooth I32a for coaction with the clutch wheel I22. Clutch crescent I32 is biased for movement in a clockwise direction, Fig. 15, by a helical spring I33 secured at one end to a pin I34 projecting from the clutch crescent I32 and at its other end to a pin I35 projecting from the face of cam I24.

- Pin I35, outwardly of the spring I33, comprises a portion for coaction with a lever I36 pivoted to a member I31 depending from the plate II5. Lever I36 is biased in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 14, by a helical spring I3'Ia secured to said lever and to the plate II5.

Secured to and rotatable with the shaft I20 is a crank arm I38, Fig. 14, to which is pivoted a link I39 connected to a record-translating member, not shown, but which corresponds preferably with the member T shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

The arm 34 of the tone arm A comprises an angular extension 34e, Fig. 14, extending in the example shown, substantially horizontally and comprising an upwardly extending pin I40 and a depending pin I4I.

Pivoted to the extension 34e is a pawl I42 for coaction with a rack I43 carried by a clutch-actuating lever I44 pivoted to the member 5 at I45 and biased in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 14, toward a stop 6 by a helical spring 1, or the like. The lever I44 comprises a nose I44a for coaction with the clutch crescent I32, and a member i40 for coaction with the cam I24.

Plvoted at I43 to the member H5 is a lever I biased in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 14, by a helical spring I5I, or the like. The lever I comprises a nose I500 for coaction with the lever I44 and its free end periodically coacts with the pin I40.

turntableMB occupies the position illustrated by the broken lines in Fig. 13, the record thereon rotating therewith and coacting with the sound box needle. At this time, the mechanism is out of cycle, the lever I84 being in the position illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15 and, therefore, holding tooth I32a of clutch crescent I32 from engagement with the clutch wheel I22. Accordingly, although said clutch wheel I22, sleeve HI, and worm wheel H9 are rotatingunder the influence of worm 6b, no motion is imparted to the cams I24 and I26 or to the crank arm I38. Since the turntable B is in its highest position, when the mechanism is thus out of cycle, cam E26 remains stationary, not in the position illustrated in Fig. 13, but in such position that the highest part thereof coacts with the pin R30.

During the period of sound reproduction, the sound box S moves toward the center of the turntable B, the pawl I82 moving from right to left,

' passes into the record eccentric groove e and, as

a result, slight reverse movement from left to right, Fig. 14, is imparted to the pawl E52. Due to this action, lever M4 is swung in a clockwise direction, Fig. 14, and its nose M lo is withdrawn from the clutch crescent E32 allowing the tooth i320; of the latter to pass into the space between two of the teeth on the constantly rotating clutch wheel lit. The automatic mechanism is now in cycle.

In response to the action last described, cam lid, sleeve ms and shaft l2tl are. coupled to, the clutch wheel H22.

Cam lZo moves with shaft E20 and, therefore, almost immediately upon the initiation of the cycle, pin ltd passes to the low part of said cam. When the pin ml is thus actuated, member H9 is swung counter-clockwise, Fig. 13, about its pivot it'll, and the pins 8b, member H8 and the turntable B abruptly descend, the record thereon engaging the tip I03'o1 post I02 and roller ltd with resultant discharge thereof into the compartment C.

Almost immediately after the turntable B has reached the limit of its downward movement, it starts to ascend under the influence of the cam I26, said turntable B eventually reaching its maximum height where it remains until the trip mechanism is again actuated to cause the auto matic mechanism to execute another cycle oi operation.

The crank arm ass is secured to shaft 020 for movement therewith. Accordingly, when the cycle begins, the record-translating member '1' moves in one direction and then in reverse direc tion above the shelf 3 to transport a record R above the turntable B and to return to its original position. This action is the same as that .described above in connection with Figs. 1-12 and also as described, the turntable B removes the record from the roller I00, past I02 and the curved extremity iii oi shelf 3 and carries it upwardly to the region wherein sound reproduction is efiected.

As the cycle was initiated, the cam ltd started rotating in a clockwise direction, Fig. 15. As aresult, lever ltd is swung in a clockwise direction, Fig. 14, its angular extension engaging the pin MI to swing the tone arm A to such position that the needle of sound box S is so placed that it will occupy aposition above and slightly without the area defined by the sound reproducing spiral groove of a record B when the latter arrives above the turntable B. Lever I50 moves operating a loud speaker, or equivalent. disposed clockwise with the leevr I64, when the latter moves as described above.

Late in the cycle, as cam I28 permits lever M4 to approach the position illustrated in Fig. 14, the end of lever I50 engages the pin I40 and, 5 under the influence of spring I5I, the needle of the sound box is moved gently into engagement with the outer end of the record spiral groove.

Continued movement of the cam I24 in a clockwise direction, Fig. 15, permits the lever I to return to the position illustrated in Fig. 14, the clutch crescent I32 engaging the nose Ilia of lever I with resultant detachment of tooth i32a from the clutch spider l22. As the cycle ceases, the end of pin I35 comes with the recess formed by the end of lever 636 to releasably lock the various parts while the machine is out ofcycle.

Upon completion of the cycle of operation, movement of cam I24, sleeve 123 and shaft I20 is discontinued and these, together with the mechanism controlled thereby, remain stationary during a period of sound reproduction and until another cycle of operation is initiated.

Although the machine or mechanism constructed as herein disclosed is intended particularly for records wherein the spiral sound reproducing groove terminates in a circular groove eccentrioally disposed with respect to the record center, it shall be understood that my invention 39 is not to be thus limited. Under some circumstances, it may be desirable to successively initiate cycles of operation of the automatic mechanism otherwise than by a control performed by the eccentric grooves on the respective records. Thus, for example, the control may be eflected by the CrowelP' type of groove which comprises generally a large pitch spiral groove extending from the spiral sound reproducing groove and terminating in a circular groove concentrically 40 disposed with respect to the record center.

It shall also be understood that in no manner at all is my invention to be limited to the utilization of an acoustical or mechanical type 01 sound box wherein sound waves originated by the sound box diaphragm are transmitted through a tone arm or taper tube and thence to an emplifying horn. In lieu of a sound box, as aforesaid, any desired type'of a pick-up may be utilized, such a pick-up, as well understood in the art, generating or modifying an electrical current in response to the actuation of an armature, or equivalent, by the talking machine or phonograph records, the aforesaid electrical current either in the same casing containing the automatic mechanism or in a casing separate therefrom, as desired.

An important feature or advantage of tliehereinbefore described system or arrangementior my manipulating talking machine or phonograph records resides in the provision of a reciprocatory turntable for successively elevating records to and removing them from a sound reproducing position while said records are disposed horizon- 4 tally. By virtue of this arrangement, lateral movement of the sound box, or equivalent, and its tone arm, or equivalent, from a position above and adjacent the center of the turntable is effected in such manner that a given point thereon moves only in a horizontal plane, excluding, of

course, the movement of the sound box, or equivalent, early and late in each cycle when it leaves and is engaged by a record support on the descending and rising turntable.

elevating a horizontally disposed record into engagement with a sound reproducing instrumentality, moving said instrumentality in one direction laterally of said record and into engagement with its spiral sound reproducing groove, removing said record from said instrumentality after a period of sound reproduction and imparting to said record a motion of translation under the influence of energy derived irom its rotary motion, and moving said instrumentality in a direction substantially the reverse of said one directtion and with a-given point thereon travelling only in substantially a horizontal plane.

2. The method of manipulating talking machine or phonograph records, which comprises elevating a horizontally disposed record into engagement with a sound reproducing instrumentality, moving said instrumentality in onedirection lat- .erally of said record and into engagement with its spiral sound reproducing groove, lowering said record fromsaid instrumentality after a period of sound reproduction and imparting to said record a motion of translation under the influence of energy derived from its rotary motion, and moving said instrumentality in a direction substantially the reverse of said one direction and with a given point thereon travelling only in substantially a horizontal plane.

3. The method of manipulating talking machine or phonograph records, which comprises transporting arecord along a path extending from a stack 01 records contacting and supported one with and by another, elevating a horizontally disposed record into engagement with a sound reproducing instrumentality, moving said instrumentality in one direction laterally of said record and into engagement with its spiral sound reproducing groove. removing said record from v said instrumentality after a period of sound reproduction and imparting to said record a motion of translation under the influence of energy derived from its rotary motion, and moving said instrumentality ina direction substantially the reverse of said one directionmd with a given point thereon travelling onLv in substantially a horizontal plane.

4. The method of manipulating talking machine or phonograph records, which comprises disposing a plurality of records in or on a supporting structure, transporting said records in succession from said supporting structure and along a path, successively elevating said records while horizontally disposed into engagement with a sound reproducing instrumentality, successively moving said instrumentality in one direction laterally of each record and into engagement with its spiral sound reproducing groove, removing saidrecords in succession from said instrumentality after the respective'periods of sound reproduction and successively imparting to said records a motion of translation under the influand successively moving said instrumentality in a direction substantially the reverse of said one direction and with a given point thereon travelling only in substantially a horizontal plane.

5. The method of manipulating talking machine or phonograph records, which comprises removing in succession the respective records deflning one end or a group of superposed records and transporting them along a path, successively elevating said records while horizontally disposed into engagement with a sound reproducing instrumentality, successively moving said instrumentality in one direction laterally of each record and into engagement with its spiral sound reproducing groove, removing said records in succession from said instrumentality after the respective periods of sound reproduction and successively imparting to said records a motion of translation under the influence of energy derived from their rotary motion, and successively 2 moving said instrumentality in a direction substantially the reverse of said one direction and with a given point thereon travelling only in substantially a horizontal plane.

6. The combination with a turntable having a 2 talking machine or phonograph record horizontally disposed thereon, and means for moving said turntable in opposite directions along a path leading to a sound reproducing position, of a sound reproducing instrumentality in said position, 3 means effective after said record has been moved to said position for moving said instrumentality in one direction laterally 01 said record and into engagement with its spiral sound reproducing groove, means for removing said record from said 3 vinstrumentality after a period of sound reproduction and for imparting to said record a motion of translation under the influence oi energy derived from its rotary motion, and means for moving said instrumentality in a direction substan- 4 tially the reverse of said one direction and with a given point thereon travelling only in substantially a horizontal plane.

'1. The combination with a turntable having a talking machine or phonograph record horizon- 4 tally disposed thereon, and means for elevating and lowering said turntable along a path leading to a sound reproducing position, of a sound reproducing instrumentality in said position, means eflective after said record has been moved tot said position for moving said instrumentality in one direction laterally of said record and into engagement with its spiral sound reproducing. groove, means ior lowering said record from said instrumentality after a period of sound reproduc- 5 tion and for imparting to said record a motion of translation under the influence of energy derived from its rotary motion, and means for moving said instrumentality in a direction substantially the reverse of said one direction and with a given point thereon travelling only in substantially a horizontal plane. a

8. The combination with a horizontal turntable, and means i!or.moving said turntable in opposite directions along a path leading to a i sound reproducing position, of a supporting structure for, a stack of talking machine or phono-- graph records contacting and supported one with and by another, means for transporting a record from said stack of records and into said path for l movement to said position, a sound reproducing instrumentality in said position, means effective after said record has been moved to said position Ior moving said instrumentality in one direction laterally or said record and into engagement with 1 tary motion, and means for moving said instrumentality in a direction substantially the reverse of said one direction and with a given point thereon travelling only in substantially a horizontal plane.

9. The combination with a horizontal turntable, and means for moving said turntable in opposite directions along a path leading to a sound reproducing position, of a supporting structure for a plurality of talking machine or phonograph records, means for transporting said records in succession from said supporting structure and into said path for successive movement of said records to said position, a sound reproducing instrumentality in said position, means for successively moving said instrinnentality in one direction laterally of the respective records to initiate the respective periods of sound reproduction, means for successively removing said records from said instrumentality after the respective periods of sound reproduction and for successively imparting to said records a motion of translation under the influence of energy derived from their rotary motion, and means effective after each record has been moved from said position for moving said instrumentality in a direction substantially the reverse of said one direction and with a given point thereon travelling only insubstantially a horizontal plane.

10. The combination with a horizontal turntable, and means for moving said turntable in opposite directions along a path leading to a sound reproducing position, of a supporting struce ture for a group of superposed talking machine or phonograph records, means for successively removing the respective records defining one end of said group of records and for transporting them'in succession'into said path for successive movement thereof to said position, a sound reproducing instrumentality in said position, means for successively moving said instrumentality in one direction laterally of the respective records to initiate the respective periods of sound reproduction, means for successively removing said records from said instrumentality after the respective periods of sound reproduction and for successively imparting to said records a motion of translation under the influence of energy derived from their rotary motion, and means effective after each record has been moved from said position for moving said instrumentality in a direction substantially the reverse of said one directionand with a given point thereon travelling only in substantially a horizontal plane.

11. In combination, a turntable, means comprising a rotatable. cam having a plurality of similar surfaces and cam follower means engaging said plurality 'of surfaces for periodically elevating said turntable to a sound reproducing position, means timed with said first named means for successively transporting talking machine or phonograph records into the path of said turntable, means for reproducing sound from each record while in said position, and

means for' successively removing said records from said turntable.

12, In combination, a turntable, means for periodically elevating said turntable to a sound reproducing position, said means comprising a rotatable cam having a plurality of similar surfaces and reciprocatory cam follower structure having members coacting, respectively, with said surfaces, means timed with said first named means for successively transporting talking machine or phonograph records into the path of said turntable, means for reproducing sound from each record while in said position, and means for successively removing said records from said turntable.

13. Mechanism for perlodicallyelevating and lowering a talking. machine or phonograph turntable comprising a drive shaft, a turntable having asleeve receiving said shaft and splined thereto, a periodically rotated cam, and reciprocatory cam follower structure controlled by said cam, said structure engaging said sleeve and controlling movement of said turntable.

14. Mechanism for periodically elevating and lowering a talking machine or phonograph turntable comprising a drive shaft, a turntable having a sleeve receiving said shaft and splined thereto; a periodically rotated cam having a plurality of surfaces, and reciprocatory cam follower structure engaging said sleeve and comprising members coacting, respectively, with said surfaces and controlled by said cam for controlling movement of said turntable.

15.. Mechanism for periodically elevating and lowering a talking machine turntable comprising a rotatable cam, a shaft passing through said cam, a turntable having a'splined connection with said shaft, and non-rotatable means interposed between said turntable and said cam to'move said turntable vertically as the cam rotates.

16. Mechanism for periodically-elevating and lowering a talking machine turntable, comprising a rotatable cam having a plurality of similar cam surfaces formed thereon, a non-rotatable support having means engaging each of said plurality of cam surfaces, a drive shaft passing freely through said cam. and support, and a turntable having a splined connection with said shaft and carried by said support.

17. Mechanism for periodically elevating and lowering a talking machine turntable comprising a rotatable cam, a support engaging said cam, means for preventing rotation of said support, a drive shaft passing freely through said cam and support, and a turntable connected with said shaft for rotation, and, rotatably mounted on said support.

18. Mechanism for periodically elevating and lowering a talking machine turntable comprising a rotatable cam, a support engaging said cam, means for preventing rotation of said support, a drive shaft passing freely through said cam and support, a turntable rotatably mounted on said support and having a splined connection with said shaft, and an anti-friction bearing between said support and turntable.

HERMAN HOLLERITH, JR. 

